[thecoppinger]

Edit: reading this back, it sounds somewhat like an attempt to shill a product. So, disclaimer: I have absolutely no affiliation with Jeff or the Cultured Oils, I’m just fascinated by it.

Serial entrepreneur Jeff Nobbs recently launched a new product in the food oil space: Cultured Oil*

I came across his writings* on the perils of seed oils earlier this year and it radically changed the way I eat.

After becoming aware of the danger high linoleic acid diets pose, as well as the climate implications of other oils, Jeff’s Cultured Oil looks incredibly impressive, albeit I haven’t had the chance to try it yet as they don’t ship to New Zealand.

In summary, from their FAQ:

“Cultured Oil is cooking oil made by fermentation, resulting in high levels of healthy fats, a small environmental footprint, a clean taste, and a high smoke point!

Fermentation describes the process of microorganisms (or "cultures") consuming natural sugars and converting those sugars into entirely new foods. Just as there are sourdough and wine cultures, there are also oil cultures. An oil culture converts sugar into the healthy delicious fats that make up Cultured Oil.

Cultured Oil is primarily monounsaturated fat, the heart-healthy and heat-stable fat also found in olive and avocados.

In every serving of Cultured Oil (1 Tbsp - 14 grams), there are about 13 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, and 0.4 grams of polyunsaturated fat. Olive oils and avocado oils contain between 55-83% monounsaturated fat, and up to 21% polyunsaturated fat. Cultured Oil contains over 90% monounsaturated fat and less than 4% polyunsaturated fat

* https://www.zeroacre.com/

* https://www.jeffnobbs.com/posts/what-causes-chronic-disease

[lumb63]

I recently saw cultured oil as well and have been doing some in depth research on adjacent topics since I have a family history of CVD. How has his writing changed how you eat, and have you noticed any differences in health metrics?

[thecoppinger]

> [a] How has his writing changed how you eat, and [b] have you noticed any differences in health metrics?

[a]

Well, I now avoid vegetable oils quite intensely. The higher-order effect of being more aware and intentional of what I eat & cook has lead me to much healthier eating habits over all; I now mainly consume un-processed foods.

In fact, it's nigh impossible to remove seed oil from ones diet without cutting out processed foods, as you quickly realize it's in (nearly) everything.

[b]

I track a bunch of health metrics via an Oura ring and Apple Watch, but it's hard to parse what improvements have come from the reduction in seed oils vs. the myriad of other positive changes I've made over roughly the same time period (daily weight lifting, running, improved sleep hygiene etc.).

I can say that my resting heart rate has decreased, my sleep quality has improved & my VO₂ max is better than it's been since I began recording it (about a year) etc. etc.

I recently had my bloods, testosterone, cholesterol & liver functions tested and everything came back healthy.

—

Overall, I've gone from being frequently fatigued, rundown and mentally overwhelmed (frequent anxious & depressive thoughts) earlier in the year to the other end of the spectrum as of writing. I can't recommend making the jump to cut-out seed oils enough.

On a side note, as a 20-something year old, this experience has been a real eye opener. I've always held a healthy skepticism of conventional healthcare/medical wisdom as my father was a doctor and his insider views on things were very revealing. Now that I've gone through a dietary/health metamorphosis of sorts, I feel enlightened to the fact that you simply cannot rely on populist knowledge & guidelines to ensure you're being healthy, or for much else for that matter.

Whether it be a consequence of the monolithic & slow moving nature of health science, or something more nefarious [lobbying, misaligned financial invectives, greed over health & welfare], the fact that seed oils were (and still are) praised & pushed as being a healthy alternative to olive oil, butter etc. is nigh insanity.

A few months ago I finally stumbled down the PFAS chemicals rabbit hole, and my dull sense of terror & disappointment increased further still. It's a strange world we live in. The phrase 'boring dystopia' springs to mind.

[blastro]

Thanks for posting about this. I bought two bottles of the cultured oil gonna see how it works out. I wouldn't have learned about this without your post.

[thecoppinger]

Hey, no worries! Enjoy. I'll get around to having some shipped to NZ someway-somehow sooner or later, I can't wait to try the stuff myself.

[leloup_legarou]

> Edit: reading this back, it sounds somewhat like an attempt to shill a product.

I don't know about that, but you may be right to be suspicious. In my experience, most research into the health effects of extra virgin olive oil is funded by Spanish, Italian or Greek institutions. For example, the affiliations of the authors of the study in the article above are mainly to Spanish institutions.

[thecoppinger]

Sorry, I meant it in reference to my comment as opposed to the research you posted

[alliao]

there're plenty of nz olive oil growers pay them a visit and buy during pressing season (May-June)

[thecoppinger]

Noted, thank you!